Pro-solar group responds to Allen County commissioners’ letter
Read the response from ACRE
Allen County Commissioners Brian Winegardner, left, and Cory Noonan, right, hear ACRE’s response to their letter sent to the Ohio Power Siting Board about the Birch Solar Project.
Trevor Hubert | The Lima News
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Read more about the Birch Solar project at LimaOhio.com/tag/birchsolar.
LIMA Two weeks ago, the Allen County Board of Commissioners penned a letter to the Ohio Power Siting Board about community concerns about the Birch Solar Project. On Tuesday morning, they were met with a response from the other side.
Allen commissioners write with Birch Solar concerns
By Trevor Hubert - thubert@limanews.com
LIMA The Allen County Board of Commissioners sent a letter to the Ohio Power Siting Board on Wednesday, citing concerns over the Birch Solar Project. The county has received numerous calls from residents about the project and its potential problems, many of which are laid out in the letter.
Among those concerns included drainage issues, the outsourcing of energy produced by the solar grid, the large footprint of the project and concerns over decommissioning once the solar panels have reached their end.
“I’ve looked at these issues and looked at them 30 to 35 years down the road into decommissioning, a time when I won’t be in this office,” said Commissioner Beth Seibert. “(We are) helping to draw attention to things that I don’t think were properly addressed in the application and need addressed now, and a better plan put forth now, before this would become an actual project.�
Allen County board discusses federal funding
By Trevor Hubert - thubert@limanews.com
LIMA The Allen County Board of Commissioners held a special session on Wednesday morning to discuss plans for incoming federal funding from the American Rescue Act. Although it is unclear how much money the county is receiving from this round of funding, county officials are expecting to have an answer from the United States Treasury Department within the next 10 days.
The auditor’s office expects that much of the money will be going toward continuing to help local businesses stay within COVID-19 guidelines, as well as having money saved in case of another possible outbreak in the future, with the upcoming funds being available to the county until the end of 2024.
Recognizing efforts to protect children
By Staff Reports - info@limanews.com
Deputy Damian Tibbs says a prayer during Thursday’s flag-raising at Allen County Children Services to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month.
LIMA Allen County’s commissioners took a moment morning to thank the people who work with children who’ve been abused.
The commissioners offered a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse and Prevention Month, recognizing the public and private organizations that help protect children.
“I applaud the efforts you put in daily, with the social work you do that sometimes goes very unnoticed and unthanked,” Commissioner Brian Winegardner said.